HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.23.24 ICG Inspection BriefingFire/Life/Safety
Inspections in the City
Of Port Townsend
May 23, 2024 ICG Meeting
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Fire Inspections – Applicable Law
EJFR CRR Program: Emphasis on risk educationCity Fire Code Official
•RCW 19.27.031: City responsible for IBC & IFC admin/enforcement
•IBC & IFC require inspections of new & existing buildings for certain
occupancies (e.g.7th Haven new construction;Bishop Park
Apartments for existing multifamily)
East Jefferson Fire Rescue
•RCW 52.12.031, provides guidance for collaboration for EJFR and City to
undertake certain inspections – must be delegated by the City.
•WA State Ratings Bureau
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Inspections During Pandemic
Emergency response focus during Governor-
ordered business closures
Shuttered business or lowered occupancy = less risk
EJFR continued inspections, but less than annually
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Inspections: Current State
Future Goal: comply
with fire/life/safety
inspection for WSRB to
enhance risk/benefit
Future Goal: Integrate
CRR “Community Risk
Reduction” program
with education
No fees charged.
Cost recovery needed for fire/life/safety annual
inspections
Post pandemic closure backlog
City business licensing and capable of collecting fees.
Unknown # of businesses in the City (EMS has
research estimates)
Pre-fire planning vs. annual fire/life/safety
inspections, when combined
Ad-hoc tracking system
No auto-scheduling for business.
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Inspection Alternative A: City/EJFR model
Low cost/City capacity ramping up/Education emphasis to reduce costs
EJFR performs certain inspections with fire shifts for pre-fire planning purposes
City team assists EJFR, City schedules 5 inspections/week as workload permits
No upfront fees
Administer via City's business licenses, collect occupancy info
Businesses request and schedule in inspection portal.
Failure to schedule = late fee
Inspection failure = reinspection fee
Existing staff must obtain Fire Inspector 1 certification
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Inspection Alternative B: County/EJFR model
Moderate cost/County capacity ramping up/Education emphasis to reduce costs
EJFR performs certain inspections with fire shifts for pre-fire planning purposes
Annual fee charged to all businesses and administered by County (e.g. Food
permits)
County fee study: cost recovery is ~$123/hour
Administer in County Energov system
County program infancy, includes Short term rental inspections Must balance
County businesses + drive time with added City businesses.
Certified Fire Inspector I staff
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Inspection Alternative C – 3rd Party
High Cost/Simple and fast
EJFR still performs certain inspections with fire shifts for pre-fire planning purposes
Third party inspection costs $300/hour
Billed directly to businesses by third party
Third party inspector sends reports to City
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Feedback on Alternatives?
Easy
•Who inspects?
•Scheduling
Enhances Safety
•Further delays during ramp up?
•Inspection frequency/risk
tolerance
Least cost
•Fees?
•How and who fees?
•Businesses impacted
Which model achieves the following?
A: Low $ - City/EJFR
B: Moderate $,
County/EJFR
C: High $ - 3rd party
– easy/immediate
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Thank you! City and EJFR ILA responsibilities rely on this feedback!